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Can Tottenham close a deal for Leandro Damiao?

Tottenham Hotspur are rumoured to be going back in for Leandro Damiao. Is it even possible?

Daniel Levy is facing a stressful 48 hours, but we all know by now he wouldn't have it any other way.

In fact we believe he even loves the negotiations of deadline day as much as former boss, car window dangler and wheeler dealer 'Arry Redknapp.

Concerns over Jermain Defoe's fitness have sharpened the focus around White Hart Lane on the striking situation, with a real lack of available alternatives thanks to Emmanuel Adebayor's planned sojourn in South Africa at the African Nations Cup.

The rumour mill is accelerating rapidly over the past 24 hours, suggesting Spurs will try again to sign Leandro Damiao.

It's the name that won't go away, and seemingly the go-to name for the tabloids whenever Spurs need a striker, but Andre Villas-Boas declared in early January his admiration for the forward, as is believed to have told Daniel Levy that the Brazilian is the man he wants, so there may well be more meat to this one.

It may not be easy though. As detailed by the BBC's South American expert in early January, Damiao is a player whose rights are complicated by third party owners.

It was exactly this, combined with a lack of time, which led to Spurs' move for Joao Moutinho falling through in August.

Tottenham will need to pull out all the stops to see the deal through in time, and many remain sceptical as to if it is do-able.

From a logistical point of view, it has it's challenges. Reason one: Internacional are in action in Brazil tonight, where they face Novo Hamburgo at 7pm UK time. Damiao is expected to start the match.

Can Tottenham win the race against time to negotiate, convince the player to sign, complete an 11 hour flight to London, and pass a medical in time for tomorrow's 11pm deadline?

We'd say it's pretty unlikely, but if Spurs can do it, it would be Daniel Levy's finest achievement yet.

Dan Coombs

Dan Coombs is a writer who is keen to embrace the internet revolution. He first started writing for us in June 2011 and commenced his new role as Sports Editor in February 2012.
As a trained journalist he has met famous faces from Mr T to Boris Johnson. He once featured in an England World Cup music video too, but it did not make the charts.
He grew up wanting to be a Formula 1 driver, but it looks like this dream has passed him by. Instead, he hopes you enjoy reading his writing on our site, as we seek to debate the day's sporting hot topics.